NEW YORK -- Tim Byrdak admitted he didn't think about what he would end up doing with "Little Jerry Seinfeld," the Mets' new chicken mascot he brought to the Mets clubhouse Friday and introduced to the Twitter world. The southpaw relief pitcher brought it in as a joke Saturday after Frank Francisco called the Yankees "chickens." Team chef Theresa Corderi fed the chicken oatmeal and berries, and cleaned up after it over the weekend.

When he realized that Jerry, whom he bought in Chinatown, needed a permanent home, he took to Twitter again. Within hours a woman named Susanna referred Brydak to Farm Sanctuary, an organization designed to combat animal abuse in Watkins Glen, N.Y.

And that's where Jerry is headed. Representatives from the organization arrived at Citi Field this afternoon and the move was announced in a ceremony outside the Mets clubhouse at 6 p.m.

"Little Jerry found himself a new home," said Byrdak, who also presented the organization with a $500 check to cover the bird's living expenses. "He avoids the fryer and the oven and everything else you can cook the chicken with. They rescue animals and this is one they definitely were interested in. The power of social media saved the bird's life today."

Farm Sanctuary spokesperson Meredith Turner said the team can visit the bird whenever they please and Byrdak joked that a webcam was going to be installed so the world can see the bird at all hours.

"We're so thrilled that this chicken will get to enjoy his days with the other chickens at Farm Sanctuary," Turner said. "He's a very lucky bird, luckier than the rest of the market and the others who suffer. We couldn't be more thrilled. Tim contacted us and made sure this bird would be able to enjoy the life that all chickens deserve."

Byrdak also offered some advice.

"Always plan ahead when you're going to get an animal," he said. "Make sure you get someone to take care of it after you don't need him anymore really or find a home for him."

* * *

In other chicken news, Francisco, who is headed to the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique, claimed he owns a "chicken farm" called "Pollo Duro" – Spanish for strong chicken -- in his native Dominican Republic and employs 29 workers.

He said there's video evidence online, though it has not been found yet.